Chelsea's preparations for Saturday's Barclays Premier League clash with Newcastle have been hit by the loss of Frank Lampard to a torn thigh muscle.

Lampard is expected to return "within a few weeks", after sustaining the damage to his right leg in the first half of the enthralling 4-4 Boxing Day draw at home to Aston Villa.

"The tear is not in the same leg that Frank injured earlier this season," said a club statement.

"He will begin his rehabilitation immediately, and we hope to have him back playing within a few weeks."

Lampard's injury is the latest setback for Chelsea who already appear set to host Newcastle without the injured Didier Drogba, Florent Malouda and John Terry and suspended Ricardo Carvalho and Ashley Cole.

England left-back Cole could yet figure, however, after appealing against the red card received for handling a shot on the line against Villa.

One silver lining has emerged from a demoralising couple of days for the Blues, in the shape of Andriy Shevchenko's lively display against Villa.

Striker Shevchenko took his tally for the season to eight after plundering two goals, the second a superb 25-yard effort, and setting up a third for Alex.

Shevchenko will spearhead Chelsea's assault on Newcastle once again as Drogba recovers from knee surgery - and the Ukraine striker is relishing the responsibility.

"I feel I played well against Villa, but for me the result of the team is more important," he said.

"It's a little disappointing, because Chelsea need to win. The result was crazy. Two teams tried to play a good game.

"But I feel much better, and my confidence is good. I want to play every game and do my best on the pitch. I feel I played well.

"I enjoyed my second goal - it was a nice goal, a good shot. But I prefer Alex's goal, because it was a fantastic combination.

"He is a defender. But that was good movement, and it was a nice goal."

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